A cozy hood cinches tight enough to stand in as a baffled hat. I like its packable nature as well as its expert capability to repel water - the insulation remains heat-trapping even if wet. The North Face’s synthetic alternative to down is an air-trapping, spherical insulation called ThermoBall, which has gained mass adoption in frozen places. A streamlined hood pulls tight or expands to fit over a climbing helmet when you’re heading up. It is cut thin and made for mountaineering or winter hiking with a pack, when extra features give way to a minimalist design. All prices are MSRP.īlack Diamond touts this Gore-Tex hardshell as “minimal weight and bulk,” weighing 14 ounces yet offering a waterproof shield against a storm. Invest in one of these now and enjoy it for years to come. These pieces span from affordable to high-end, each with its own purpose to insulate and protect in the backcountry, on the trail or on your way to work. Nature demands a thick skin, or at least an adaptable one, and gear designers answer with nano-particles, membranes and materials able to “map” how your body moves. Today, brands favor operative terms including “breathable,” “packable,” “air-permeable” - lightweight pieces that adapt to the elements of cold, sun, wind or rain. A winter jacket used to be a thick ply, made with itchy wool or piled down, a protective layer against polar gales.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |